Horrible symptoms before ovulation

[BatsAtHome]

It's the follicular phase. For me, it can be 1 day or 1 week of feeling absolutely awful.
Dreadful fatigue, nausea, tight tummy, so bloated, constipation, brain fog.
I'm mid forties, it started a few years ago. Not every month but increasingly more months than not.
Although I'm peri menopausal I've seen a few comments that it does affect younger people as well. Onset after having children seemingly.
Anyone else?
What I'm really trying to find out is whether it's caused by;
A) a rush of hormones, namely estrogen, perhaps worsened by cycle being annovulatory
B) an inability of estrogen to take flight and therefore a lack of it
C) Low progesterone
D) Something else
I've only recently read of POST menstrual syndrome, which fits with this.

Sadly I have no advice but I’m suffering exactly the same to the extent I have a doctors appointment this week to see what they can do. If I wasn’t too old I would go back on the pill to stop ovulation. I hope they can offer an alternative. It happens around day 13 for me for about a week. Funnily enough, period week is absolutely fine. In fact it’s a welcome relief. I hope somebody comes along soon with some useful advice.

@FrontRowSeat Can I ask how long between easing of symptoms and menstruation? I can pin mine down to 11/12 days - so I know this is about the ovulation build up.
I've been on HRT for about 3 months now. First 2 months I was free of this symptom (and the other more classic peri ones the rest of the month) but this month it's back and it's a doozy.
I'm now wondering, in my desperation, about the mini pill.
I'm mid forties.
Oh and the DRY MOUTH!

Week before my period for me (or around cycle day 25 for about 3 days) and I get exactly the symptoms you describe. I went for years going through tablets thinking it was my mental health. Supported by doctors who didn't once question it being linked to the menstrual cycle.

Realise now what it is after downloading an app that explains the cycle and tracks symptoms. It's made such a difference.

I haven't been to the GP about it as I absolutely hate going to them tbh so I just deal with it.

Me me!

its wierd. And I don’t like it. Started after having dd (2nd one).

my gp said it’s due to rush of hormones. Likened to morning sickness. It’s so shit though.

thankfully it’s usually only a day or two. But still.

Yep. The tightness and bloating is really unpleasant. Usually mid cycle for a few days then it goes away. My period can be a bit painful for the first day but it's nothing compared to the ovulation pain. On the plus side it was useful when TTC!

I have this. I'm much more snappy, in more pain, bloated and hormonal at ovulation than period, wish there was something to stop these symptoms, I feel like a completely different person. I have 4 kids, got progressively worse after each one

I have exactly the same thing and I’ve only noticed it in the last couple of years. I also get incredibly anxious in the days leading up to ovulation. So I have 1 good week after my period where I feel fine, then the lead up to ovulation which is terrible, before my mood crashes in the lead up to my period. I’ve tried all sorts of things to help, exercise, diet, supplements etc and don’t really want to bother the GP with it, but fed up of hormones ruling my life. I’m mid thirties

To update on this. I had an upset stomach on Wednesday. Initially I thought it was the bug the kids had the week before. But looking at my period tracker, similar has happened every month since April. I just hadn’t clocked it.

unlikely to be a stomach bug a week after everyone else in the house had it. Especially given that I was with the kids all week and DH caught it 12 hours after dd. Who was 12 hours after ds.

I also felt fine after. Literally a couple of hours after. Whereas DH and the dc weren’t feeling better for a few days.

so that’s fun.

@FrontRowSeat will you let us know what the doc has to say? Very interested to hear x

Well, doctor said the pill is now considered safe up until the age of 50 (who knew?) as long as no contraindications so I think I may go down that route. I have to go in next week to be weighed and blood pressure checked so it gives me a few days to think about it. I think I will give it a try though - the one called Yaz is known for treating PMS.

I get thrush every month after I ovulate. It drives me mad.

Is that the combined pill @front? I knew the mini pill was prescribed up to 55, so that's very interesting to hear!

@BatsAtHome yes it’s the combined. I thought they discouraged it after 40 but the guidance must have changed with these new generation pills. Good news I guess.

@FrontRowSeat Can I ask how it's going please? has the combined pill proven helpful?

Hi @BatsAtHome it’s going really well thanks. No bad symptoms at all, no bloating and I’m running packs back to back so no period. The heavy periods were making me low in iron so I’m gradually getting my iron count back up too. Very pleased. How are you doing? Hope you’re ok .

@FrontRowSeat so glad to hear it 😍

I'm on HRT and it has improved my sleep (hallelujah) and made me feel better across the board but it hasn't stopped the fluctuations. I find now that the fluctuations are milder (but still awful) and more random, no longer confined to that post menstruation/pre-ovulation period.

I know iron plays a big role in this but I think iron and hormones can be a bit chicken-and-egg in peri particularly. At last test my iron had dropped a bit again. I can't take tranexamic acid anymore now that I'm on HRT and my periods are heavier again...
I think I'm going to try the combined pill and would want one that I can take back to back.

Can I ask which you are on please?

I have been diagnosed this week with stage 4 deep infiltrating endometriosis of the pelvic area and bowel.

My only symptoms were looser stools on my period, occasional ‘javelin arse’ (sharp pain up backside when on period) and lower back pain that gets worse on period.

@BatsAtHome I’m glad your sleeping has improved.

Docs gave me the combined pill Microgynon which was a bit annoying as I asked for Yaz (better for acne), but actually the Microgynon seems to be working fine for now 😊